Cowra & Young Cherry Time

Day 1 – Wednesday 27th November 2024

Depart Sydney this morning and head over the Blue Mountains, bound for Cowra. Stop for morning tea along the way and a lovely lunch in the historic town of Blayney. Back on the coach, we cruise past Blayney’s Wind Farm which delivers green power in a rural environment while co-existing with the traditional pastoral land use. The capacity of the Wind Farm is enough to supply the annual electricity of 3,500 average Australian homes. On arrival in Cowra, we visit the Information Centre, where a hologram woman tells the story of Cowra. Then a local guide will join us on board the coach for a town tour that will take in the Australian Peace Bell, P.O.W. Breakout Site, War Cemeteries, and Cowra Bridge pylons, depicting Aboriginal murals. The tour will include Sakura Avenue, which is flanked by over 2000 cherry trees connecting the Japanese and Cowra war cemeteries, and a drive down Memorial Avenue where 450 trees were planted in 1917 as a tribute to the town’s war heroes. Enjoy a two course dinner at the Cowra Services Club.

Day 2 – Thursday 28th November 2024

After a hearty breakfast this morning we travel to Young where we learn about the history of the area at the Lambing Flat Museum. Enjoy morning tea in the beautiful Chinese Tribute Gardens then step back in time with a visit to Iandra Station and Mt Oriel Homestead, a unique property located near Greenthorpe that is part of Australia’s heritage. We return to Cowra for lunch at the Cowra Japanese Gardens Café followed by free time to explore the 5 hectares of gardens at your leisure and enjoy its beauty and tranquillity. Special features of the Garden include a traditional Edo Cottage, an authentic open air Tea House and a Bonsai House. This afternoon we stop at Bellevue Hill Lookout (weather permitting) where we admire the spectacular scenic views, before returning to the motel. Tonight we mingle with the locals again with dinner at the Cowra Services Club.

Day 3 – Friday 29th November 2024

Enjoy another hearty breakfast this morning before returning to Young to visit Poppa’s Fudge Factory. Tempt your taste buds with 36 varieties of fudge to choose from as well as many different types of chocolates, lollies, candies, jams, sauces, cordials, and home wares for sale. At Ballinaclash Orchard, you can pick and pay for your own fresh cherries straight off the tree and purchase other fresh seasonal fruit from their shop. Then we depart for home, stopping for lunch at Yass, arriving back in Sydney at approximately 6:30pm depending on traffic.